What do things cost in Morocco?
Morocco was one of the first countries I really backpacked alone, so holds a firm place in my heart. The weather is sunny, the people full of warmth, there’s plenty to do and the food is amazing! What more is there to want?
Prices in Morocco can vary wildly depending on your travel style and how long you’re travelling. There are plenty of luxury resorts and riads which can add up, but budget backpackers can get a dorm bed for as little as £5 (€5.8 / $6 USD) a night and live off of street food.
So, is Morocco expensive? I found it relatively affordable for day-to-day expenses. This allowed me to splurge on things like a trip to the Atlas Mountains to hike up Mount Toubkal.
As with Egypt, we found the most challenging part about planning a travel budget for Morocco is setting a baseline for how much things should cost. There are rarely fixed prices. Instead, expenses such as food, transport, and accommodation come in three tiers:
- The local price
- The price for a non-local in a local area
- The prices in tourist areas.
Confusing! Often, it’s up to you to determine how much something is really worth and to try and haggle for a price within your budget. But as this is expected, there are some great deals to be had if you have the patience.
The costs below are the average we encountered during our time in Morocco. We’ve chosen the individual items for their ubiquity across the world and because they’re the sort of things we think most backpackers will need to buy at some point. This will allow us, and you, to make a comparison of living and travel costs worldwide.
Currencies are Moroccan Dirham / £GBP / $USD. Conversion rate as at time of publication. Updated 2024.
our average daily cost for two
120,000 MAD / £120 / $150
average cost of a private double room at a riad
You can’t visit Morocco without staying in a riad. A riad is a type of accommodation, usually with rooms surrounding a central garden courtyard, and is such a quintessentially Moroccan experience!
Even if you’re on a shoestring budget, we recommend trying it for at least one night. In the major cities like Marrakech and Fez there are dozens to choose from, with beautiful intricate tiles and decoration.
600-1500 MAD / £40-120 / $50 – 150
average cost of a budget double room
Costs vary wildly here! Look for private room in a backpacker hostel for the cheapest double room, Boutique hostels or a small hotel may be more expensive.
150-350 MAD / £12 – 30 / $15-35
average cost of a dorm bed
When travelling as a pair, it’s usually the same price to stay in a budget double room than in two dorm beds. This checked out for the most part in Morocco!
There are a few bougie backpacker hostels popping up, but you can still get a dorm bed for under £10 across most of the country.
11,000 MAD / £11 / $13.8
average cost of a 3h bus journey
We didn’t use buses too much in Morocco, but when we did, they were cheap and punctual!
The main bus companies in Morocco are CTM and Supratours. Both of these have good route planners and set prices on their websites.
90 MAD / £7.20 / $9.10
average cost of a 1km taxi ride
This is very variable, it basically depends on how much the taxi driver feels like ripping off tourists that day! What can be as low as 7 dirham/km for a local might cost upwards of 50 dirham/km for you!
As with most things in Morocco, you’ll have to negotiate. Ask someone you trust, a guide or hotel owner perhaps, for a rough idea of the price. Don’t be afraid to say no multiple times and you can always walk away if the price isn’t right.
…it depends!
average cost of one basic breakfast
Most hostels and hotels in Morocco will provide a basic but delicious continental-style breakfast – think fruit, bread, jam, tea, coffee and juice. We also bought breakfast items at the supermarkets and prepared them ourselves on a few occasions.
If you’re eating in a café this is a rough estimate of the price you’ll pay
20-30 MAD / £1.6 – 2.4 / $2 – 2.7
average cost of a pot of moroccan tea
Mint tea is a staple in Morocco, and pretty much everyone drinks it! Even if you’re not a tea fan, the ceremony and ritual around drinking a pot of mint tea is lovely, and you should experience it at least once during your trip
If you’re staying in a more upmarket hotel or riad, you will be greeted with tea upon arrival each day for free. If you’re out and about, a pot won’t set you back more than 20 dirham.
Or, just engage with any Moroccan carpet dealer… they’ll be sure to offer you a free cup (or two) whilst you haggle over their wares!
5-20 MAD / £0.50 – 1.50 / $0.70 – 1.90
average cost of a tagine
Ah tagine… how I miss you! The cost of a tagine varies significantly… and so does the quality! Even in the touristy areas you can find a cheap tagine for 25 dirham. But if you’re wanting something that tastes good, expect to pay over 50dh.
25 – 50 MAD / £2 – 4 / $ 3 – 6
average cost of snacks
Little carts and market stalls sell an array of fresh juices, sticky pastries, and sweets. Small mom-and-pop corner shops stock packaged local crisps and sweets for if you’re on the go. And it’s all pretty cheap!
As usual, expect to pay more for any imported snacks.
Juice: 5 – 20 MAD / £0.50 – £2 / $0.7 – 2.4
Snacks: 1 – 4 MAD / £0.10 – 0.50 / $ 0.15 – 0.70
average cost of one litre of water
Morocco is hot and you’ll drink a lot, especially in summer! Unfortunately, the tap water in Morocco is not safe to drink. To save you from buying a lot of single-use plastic bottles, you might want to consider investing in a travel filter bottle. We swear by this one and you can get a 15% discount here.
Many hostels and hotels in Morocco offer free filtered water to guests, so don’t forget to top up before you head out.
You’ll still have to rely on bottled water if you go off-grid, such as a few days hiking in the Atlas Mountains or exploring the Sahara. To stay more eco-friendly, buy the largest bottle you can!
6 MAD / £0.48 / $0.60 USD
average cost of one litre of milk
What can I say, it’s milk? If you want non-dairy versions, such as soya or oat milk, expect to pay more
8 MAD / £0.60 / $0.8
average cost of one dozen eggs
What can I say, it’s eggs? A great vegetarian protein option and a staple in South America, along with beans and rice.
20 MAD / £2 / $2.1
average cost of one cup of coffee
Coffee on a balcony or terrace is one of my favourite ways to spend an hour or two, sipping, journalling, and people-watching.
Coffee in Morocco is taken short, black and strong and, like the mint tea, with an insane amount of sugar. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, be sure to ask for no sugar and they’ll probably still add a ‘little bit’
If you want to save money, consider buying an aeropress, so that you can buy and make fresh ground coffee anywhere in the world.
5 – 20 MAD / £0.4 – 2 / $0.65 – 2.1
average cost of one beer
Alcohol was hard to find in Morocco (maybe due to travelling during Ramadan!). Beer isn’t illegal or anything, but Morocco is an Islamic country, and many Moroccans opt for tea, coffee, or soda.
Although alcohol isn’t widely available or easily accessible, you may find an ice-cold beer on the menu at some establishments catering to tourists.
25-45 MAD / £2.2 – 3.8 / $2.4 – 4.5
average cost of one can of pop
This is the average cost at a supermarket or street vendor. If you’re sitting down to enjoy a can of coke in a restaurant, expect to pay double.
8 MAD / £0.6 / $0.7
average cost of one load of laundry
Morocco may be a hot country but don’t worry if you get sweaty, laundry is cheap! We paid £4 for one load of laundry.
50 MAD / £4 / $4.25
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Alice
Alice is a UK travel blogger who advocates sustainable travel and being more eco-conscious on a budget. She loves coffee, her houseplants and summiting mountains.
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